Sri Lanka A produced a strong batting performance against New Zealand A in the second List A match of the three-game series at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige decided to bat first. The decision worked well as the team built a massive total of 368 for 9 in 50 overs.
The highlight of the innings was a brilliant century from opening batter Lasith Croospulle, who dominated the early part of the game with aggressive stroke play.
Sri Lanka A’s Early Start
Sri Lanka A began the innings positively but soon lost a few early wickets. Despite losing three wickets in the first 13 overs, the team still managed to cross the 100-run mark.
At that stage, Croospulle continued attacking the bowlers and helped stabilize the innings with quick scoring.
Team situation early in the innings
| Overs | Wickets | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 13 overs | 3 wickets | 105 runs |
His aggressive batting ensured Sri Lanka A kept the momentum even after the early setbacks.
Croospulle’s Boundary-Heavy Century
Lasith Croospulle played one of the most exciting innings of the match. The opener scored 103 runs from just 76 balls before getting out in the 25th over.
A major part of his runs came from boundaries. He hit 13 fours and six sixes during the innings.
Croospulle’s innings breakdown
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Runs from Boundaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | 76 | 13 | 6 | 88 |
Out of his 103 runs, 88 runs came from boundaries, showing how aggressive his batting was.
His powerful innings helped Sri Lanka A move quickly toward a big total.
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Support From Arachchige and Dinusha
After Croospulle’s dismissal, captain Sahan Arachchige continued the scoring. He played a steady knock and kept the innings moving.
Later, Sonal Dinusha added valuable runs and accelerated the scoring in the final overs.
Key batting contributions
| Player | Runs | Balls | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Croospulle | 103 | 76 | 13 fours and 6 sixes |
| Sahan Arachchige | 74 | 68 | Captain’s steady innings |
| Sonal Dinusha | 93 | 77 | Strong finish to the innings |
Their contributions helped Sri Lanka A reach a very strong total.
Sri Lanka A Post 368/9
With consistent scoring throughout the innings, Sri Lanka A finished with 368 runs for 9 wickets in their full 50 overs.
Team innings summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka A | 368/9 | 50 overs |
The total put New Zealand A under heavy pressure in the chase.
Impact on the Series
Sri Lanka A had already won the first match of the series by a big margin of 140 runs. The strong batting performance in the second match further strengthened their position in the series.
Croospulle’s century gave the team an early advantage, while the middle-order contributions from Arachchige and Dinusha ensured the total crossed 360.
The performance also showed the batting depth in the Sri Lanka A lineup.
The three-match series between Sri Lanka A and New Zealand A will continue with the remaining games.
Sri Lanka A will aim to maintain their momentum and secure the series, while New Zealand A will look to bounce back and challenge in the upcoming matches.
The impressive century from Lasith Croospulle has already become one of the standout performances of the series and highlights his ability to score quickly in List A cricket.
